★★★★★ 5
OUTSTANDING!!!
Style: AVR-X4800H, Style: AVR-X4800H
Alright folks. Grab a drink, sit down, and have a read. Because this is gonna be an eye full! This going to be an exhaustive, if not exhausting, full review of not only the Denon AVR-X4800H 9.4 receiver, but also all the speakers currently hooked up to it.
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Purchase this! You will decidedly not be disappointed. Allow me to explain...
I recently upgraded from a Yamaha RX-V1900 receiver in a 7.1 configuration, to the current system of the Denon, in a 5.2.4 configuration. The former set consisted of the Yamaha receiver, a front pair of legacy Paradigm 3SE speakers (30 years old at publication), Paradigm 5.0 Cinema surround speakers, and a Paradigm 10" enclosed SE subwoofer. Big fan. It's now in my bedroom. My recent upgrade consists of: Denon AVR-X4800H, pair of Polk Audio (PA) Signature Elite ES60 towers (Front left and right), PA ES35 center channel, pair of PA ES20 surround speakers, pair of PA ES10 surround height speakers, pair of PA Reserve 900 front height speakers, a PA 12" HTS 12 subwoofer (bottom ported), and the aforementioned Paradigm 10" enclosed subwoofer. Crazy! Right?!
Caveat: I am not an audiophile! But maybe I'm getting closer to one due to these purchases. I am not "brand" loyal. That is not to say that I've not had excellent experiences with prior brands. Big fan: of Pioneer and Yamaha receivers. Also had excellent experience with Paradigm speakers. I branched out this time, and it didn't disappoint. You know what you like best. Keep up with it! Or, try something new like I just did.
RECEIVER: The Denon AVR-X4800H, is nothing short of exquisite. I had a bit of time on my hands while deployed overseas, and hours upon hours to research. It was a legitimate toss up between the AVR-3800H and the AVR-X4800H. Here's why. To be honest, there's not a heap of difference between them. The biggest being the 4800 pumps out 125 watts per 9 channels, whereas the 3800 puts out 105 watts. Yes, yes, I know that's not full RMS. Additional minor features are 3 trigger out ports, and it's made in Japan. I merely opted for more power, and glad that I did. That, and Amazon had this unit on mad sale - less than the MSRP of the 3800. So, why not?
Pro tips: If you've gotten this far, you've already likely had several audio systems behind your belt, and more or less know the ropes when it comes to set up and so on. The set up wizard on this bad boy as easy AF. I personally recommend doing both the manual set up, and take accurate measurements from your optimum listening position (laser measurement tool is clutch here), AND doing the full Audyessy set up. Ultimately the Audysessy set up worked magnificently. Not only did it do a near perfect job calibrating every speaker, it also picked up on a couple of my set up mistakes (an out of phase speaker - which isn't hard considering the rats nest of wires to hook up, AND it discovered a lose wire connection). I made only the slightest tweaks to the Audyessy set up.
The AVR has several audio processing options for both audio and visual listening options. Try them all out. You'll find out in short order what your preferences are. I am a particular fan of: Dolby Surround, Auro-3D, and Multi Channel options.The first two employ all your channels, the latter, everything but your subs - and you'd be surprised what sound you can achieve without your subs if you've the right speakers.
Bluetooth: This system can both receive, and transmit, Bluetooth signal. Some comments on both. I employed a stand alone bluetooth receiver on my legacy AVR. Game changer. For this, it's absolutely fine to use. If you're familiar with receiving Bluetooth signal on your AVR, you'll know that the range is limited. Not terrible, but if you're sending signal from your phone from the bathroom or patios, you'll know that it can, and will, cut out until you're back in range. Just sayin'. Now, you can also transmit Bluetooth from the receiver, although not at the same time as receiving. You can transit up to 8 separate devices. This is where it can become potentially interesting. While I suspected the options I'm about to elaborate on, I did reach out to Denon for clarification on how and what I could transit to in terms on bluetooth capable devices. For what ever reason, the response was rather cagey, and I don't know why. So, check it out - you're already directly feeding what combination of speakers outputting from your AVR. Guess what! You can ALSO transit to a myriad of bluetooth capable speakers as well! 8, at minimum! Now, keep in mind, since your channel speakers are direct linked, your bluetooth receiving speakers will experience an ever so slight delay in reception. It can be annoying. You could of course set up your direct linked speakers on the same delay, and viola, match your bluetooth speakers. But here is where the transmitting bluetooth could REALLY count - MULTIROOM broadcasting! Why bother with the extra wires, when you can just as easily send signal to other rooms with bluetooth receiving speakers??? For example, I have 5 Alexas, the legacy AVR set up in 5.1, and another in the spare room with the same capability. So, having tested some of this theory, I've been able to broadcast sound to any bluetooth capable receiving speaker in the house. COOL!!! Right?!
Wifi: I've never had the option of wifi on an AVR prior. Spoiler alert, another game changer. You can download, for free, some apps for this AVR. I suggest the Denon remote app, and also the HEOS app. You can perform basically every option with the remote app, as the actual remote. The remote is fine, but as usual, a rather unwieldy large wand. The remote app works great as well. As for HEOS, it's mostly great. Admittedly, the random option for your tunes, isn't exactly as random as you might prefer, That's ok, you can sub in what ever music you want, as you want, construct playlists, etc. If you subscribe to any music streaming music services you've that option as well.
HDMI: The AVR supports 3 HDMI outputs, including eARC, and 7 in. At present I only have 2 inputs, my fire stick for streaming, and my Blu-ray. Output is direct to the TV. This does upscale up to 8k, to a capable monitor. I have a Samsung 85' behemoth TV. I don't personally notice an appreciable difference between the upscaling. But you might.
Ok, ok, speaker set up. Finally.
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES60 towers - front left and right. They. Are. Amazing. Truly. Way more bass capable than I expected. I can have my subs off, and barely notice the difference. Mine are the walnut wood tone, with the front grills off. I LOVE the contemporary look. Curved on the edges. Surprisingly deep, but not ridiculously so. 3 drivers and a tweeter. LOTS of sound. Bottom "power ported" design. Just gorgeous cabinetry.
Center channel: Polk Audio Signature Elite ES35. This thing is crazy. It is probably the single greatest addition to the speaker combination. Not only does it fit perfectly beneath my television, looks amazing, but sounds absolutely incredible. Vocals and mid tones come through just brilliantly! Had I known just how profoundly amazing this speaker would have sounded, I'd have considered getting the biggest center channel I could afford. NO matter. It accomplishes everything I could possibly need, and then some.
Front Height speakers: Polk Audio Reserve Series - R900. The single reason I opted to upgrade to the Reserve Series height speakers is simple. The Signature Elite height speakers are specifically made to rest atop the ES60 towers. Not that big of a deal. But. From my research it was expressly suggested to get your height speakers as far up to the ceiling as possible. The Signature Elite ES90s, being curved to the towers, can't be easily wall mounted. The R900s, can achieve both positions. So, have a look at my photos for the results. Zero complaints.
Surround speakers: Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20s. I have these bad boys opposite each side of my couch, and central listening position. They could easily perform as your front channel speakers. Loads of bass, and clarity. They're essentially ES60 towers, but a third the size and volume. These things just ring next to my ears! I have heard sounds and tones from songs I've listened to for decades; but never heard before. Phenomenal!
Surround height speakers: Polk Audio Signature Elite ES10s. I got these as gifts prior to purchasing the new AVR, and additional speakers. I originally had them set up as a mid room surround speaker pair. BAD idea! They seriously underperformed there. Like, bad. Useless really. Now, I have them set up atop corner photo stands. See pics. Now, I don't have them as high up as maybe they should be, BUT, they sound exactly as I was hoping. Very very good height sound. I bought rubber computer desk angled stands, reversed them they way they were meant to be mounted, so now the speakers are oriented downwards towards my dome piece. And voila again! A very happy accident, in the immortal words of Bob Ross. I'm not joking when I say this configuration worked even better than I had hoped.
Subs!: Since I had the option, I chose to make it a left and right Sub configuration. Again, you've the option to wire up to 4 subs with the Denon AVR 4800! Insane. I chose a front left and right configuration because I share the rear wall with neighbors. I know, first world problems. Call me considerate. Anywho. I have the legacy 10" downward facing Paradigm SE sub on the right. For its small size, it can sing ridiculously loud, and deep. For the left sub I have the front facing Polk Audio HTS 12' (discontinued). I considered the actual Signature Elite ES12, but the HTS just so happened to aesthetically match the rest of the existing speakers, particularly in terms of the downward facing power port. Again, no complaints.
The truth of the matter is this: Considering the wealth of orgasmic audio bliss achieved by this truly magnificent set up, I've barely put it through its paces. Don't get me wrong, I've spent hours hypnotized by the otherworldly sound this AVR and speakers produce. What's really cool, is even at low levels, you can still achieve the same incredible sound processing. I'm floored.
A couple final thoughts: Cable management. DO IT!!! I know you've already spent hours upon hours, shopping, researching, unboxing, etc. Take the time to set up your audio system, right, and the first time. You'll kick yourself repeatedly if you don't. I spent less than $40 on rectangular speaker wire conduit, measured a dozen times, cut a couple few times, and mounted it along the walls, floors, and fireplace. Looks amazing, if I might say. With any luck, you'll never have to reaccomplish the task again until you move to the next pad. Also, do take the time to read through the massively long user AVR manual. I learned, a LOT! Know what your gear is capable of. There is more science built into this thing that the CERN collider. You'll be grateful that you did.
Ok, time for a refill, yes? Thanks for taking the time to read through. Hope this helped!
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Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2025
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